June 27-July 3, 2011

Today in the News Media

Today in the News Media is a synopsis of some of the most prominent coverage of OSU people and programs. Inclusion of any item constitutes neither an endorsement nor a critique, but rather is intended only to make the OSU community aware of significant items in the media.

“It’s another good example of how widespread the ecology of fear is in nature,” adds William Ripple, an ecologist at Oregon State University in Corvallis, who has studied the effects of fear on the elk population in Yellowstone National Park following the reintroduction of gray wolves. “Predators, and the fear they instill, are major shapers of ecosystems,” he says.

“We used DNA profiling to confirm that seven whales are now migrating between the sub-Antarctic islands and mainland New Zealand,”Scott Baker, associate director of the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, said in a release. Oregon State initiated a study of the whale population in 1995. (see also Phys.Org)

Katherine MacTavish, a professor at Oregon State, returned to running a year and a half ago when her daughter persuaded her to train with her for a marathon. She had been the 1980 Florida state champion in cross-country but had taken a 30-year hiatus from running.

Peter Clark, a geologist at Oregon State University, said the new study represents a “significant advance” because it extends the record of sea level rise back two millennia, giving scientists a better context for current sea level rise.

Off southern Oregon, the probability of an 8-or-higher magnitude earthquake is greater — 37 percent, according to Oregon State University’s Chris Goldfinger, one of the world’s top experts on subduction-zone quakes.

Unemployment fell more than half a percentage point last month in Benton County, dipping to 5.8 percent from April’s 6.4 percent level and slightly outstripping expectations for this time of year. The presence of Oregon State University in Corvallis accounts for much of the difference. (See also Forbes)

“As I was starting this novel,” he said in a recent interview with the Gazette-Times, “I was thinking about my early impressions of Corvallis.” And the night drive, with the car smelling of mint, is one of those strongest impressions. “I just noticed the terrific smell of the place,” said Scribner, an associate professor of English at Oregon State University.

The Paradigms in Physics project at Oregon State University advocates giving out to your students mini whiteboards, which they can use (sometimes in groups, sometimes individually) to draw their answers to a posed question.

But “since the wolves are eating deer primarily, and not caribou, [wildlife managers] may end up just substituting one problem for another” if the wolves are removed, because the deer population will likely explode, says William Ripple, an ecologist at Oregon State University in Corvallis.

“It is the most in-depth undertaking of its type that’s ever been done anywhere, ever,” says Bruce Mate, director of the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, who followed the whales as part of the study. (see also San Francisco Chronicle)

Upon seeing a photo of the carcass, three marine biology experts — Scott Baker of Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute, Bill Perrin, senior scientist for marine mammals at the National Marine Fisheries Service, and Bob Brownell, senior scientist for international protected resources with the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration’s Fisheries Service — all think it’s a whale. (See also Discovery News, Daily Mail)

“Water exacerbates current tensions,” Aaron Wolf—a leading researcher on global water conflict and resolution and a professor at Oregon State University—told Circle of Blue. “It is very hard to separate a water conflict from a land conflict from an economic conflict, because water is tied to everything we do.”

The Washington County Museum on Friday will be honoring Pat Reser, board chair of Reser’s Fine Foods who has called the county home for more than 40 years. Among a number of other philanthropic efforts, Reser sits on the board of stewards for the Washington County Museum and is the co-chair for Oregon State University’s Foundation Campaign Steering Committee, which guides university fundraising efforts.

When college is out, and students head home, many local businesses have a hard time staying afloat. Especially in Corvallis, where OSU students make up about 40 percent of the city’s population, many businesses see a decline in sales during the sleepy summer months.

Having a green thumb may come naturally for some people, but others need a little guidance. With that in mind, the Pringle Creek Community partnered with Friends of Salem Saturday Market and the Oregon State University Master Gardener Program to develop a course to teach home gardening.

Ocean scientist, geographer, and geographic information system (GIS) author Dawn J. Wright of Oregon State University will join Esri as its chief scientist on October 3, 2011. She will help formulate and advance the intellectual agenda for the environmental, conservation, climate, and ocean sciences aspect of Esri’s work while also representing Esri to the national/international scientific community.

Everything you ever wanted to know about the dragonflies and damselflies that frequent this part of the world has got to be between the covers of a new book, aptly titled “Dragonflies and Damselflies of Oregon,” just released by the Oregon State University Press.

David Fink won the 102nd Manoa Cup in a hail of eagles and birdies. His victory in the 103rd state amateur match play championship was mind over matter. Fink, who will be a sophomore on the Oregon State team in the fall, was more than up to Oda’s relentless challenge.

For the first time, this effect in molecules has been experimentally observed, as chemist T. Darrah Thomas of Oregon State University and a team of international colleagues reported in the May 13 issue of Physical Review Letters.

Oregon State University researchers recently revealed a study showing public responsiveness to a campaign against invasive wood-boring insects and diseases that could infest and destroy local forests.

Wednesday

Public Sale at the OSUsed Store: The OSUsed Store is open for its public sale Wednesday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 644 SW 13th St. Departments may shop weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the exception of Wednesday mornings, but personal purchases may only be made during public sale hours. For more information, please visit http://surplus.oregonstate.edu

Summer concert: This week’s Summer Session concert takes place at noon in the MU brick mall and features Key of Dreams. Concerts are free and move indoors to the MU lounge during inclement weather.

Thursday

Classified employee open house: June 30 at noon there will be an open house at the Union Office at Adams Hall next to Parking Services office. There will be an informational picket at 7:30 a.m. at Kerr. June 30 is the final day of the contract. Get the latest updates; our team is bargaining Thursday and Friday.

Ayres/Roberts Retirement Reception: A farewell reception is planned for Bill Ayres and Marty Roberts on June 30 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in MU 109-B Schille Room. Bill has provided technical expertise for OSU for a total of 40 years, beginning as a graduate student and now retiring from Network Services. Marty’s career at OSU spans 31 years, and she retires from the College of Forestry. Please contact Judy Ivey judy.ivey@oregonstaate.edu with questions.

Ecosystems in Australia: Simone Maynard from South East Queensland, Australia will be in Oregon to give a seminar and talk with researchers and others interested in Ecosystem Services. Her seminar, “Integrating ecosystem services into policy and planning in South East Queensland, Australia,” takes place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 30 at the US EPA Western Ecology Division, 200 S.W. 35th St.

Saturday

All RecSports facilities are closed July 2-4, in recognition of the Independence Day holiday. Facilities open again for general recreation on Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. For a detailed listing of RecSports hours, see http://oregonstate.edu/recsports/hours.

Upcoming Events

Weight Watchers Information: The next Weight Watchers 13-week session begins July 12. For more information, please contact Kathi at 541-737-3106.

News for Employees

NEW! Beaver Strides: Summer session Beaver Strides is a free physical activity program for all OSU students, faculty and staff. Participants will track their physical activity minutes along with their consumption of fruits, vegetables, water and participation in other healthy habits and turn them in to earn prizes. Sessions take place July 4-Aug. 12 and Aug. 15-Sept. 23. Registration for Session 1 ends July 1. Visit http://studenthealth.oregonstate.edu/strides-signup to sign up.

Leadership Corvallis: Applicants are being sought for the Leadership Corvallis program. Supervisors can nominate candidates or you can self-nominate: http://www.leadershipcorvallis.com. The coming year’s theme is “The Most Beautiful College Town in the Pacific Northwest.”

Research update: The Spin on Research provides behind-the-scenes views. In the latest posting, VP Rick Spinrad talks about his recent visits with Federal Agencies in D.C. – and what OSU researchers might do to up their success rates. Subscribe to receive notice of new postings.

Humanistic scholarship: The Horning Endowment in the Humanities is calling for applications to fund faculty proposals that address the criteria of the Horning Endowment to both improve and extend the teaching of humanities to the sciences and other disciplines at OSU and to extend humanistic knowledge in ways that will demonstrate the importance of the liberal arts to the sciences. CLA faculty can apply at www.oregonstate.edu/cla/history.

Summer choir: Registration for OSU Summer Choir will be held at 6:30 p.m. on July 25, with rehearsal following at 7 p.m., and continuing on subsequent Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. in Benton Hall room 202. OSU students may register for credit and community members may participate for a $20 fee. Solo opportunities will be available. A final concert will take place Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.

Beaver Fair registration: Registration for the Beaver Community Fair is now open. More than 200 booths representing OSU departments & student organizations, Corvallis agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations will fill the Memorial Union Quad on Sept. 30 from noon to 4 p.m., making visible the opportunity to connect with services, products and involvement opportunities on campus and around the area. For more information and to register your student organization, visit us online at http://oregonstate.edu/sli/studentorgs/bcf

Meet international teachers: In July, INTO OSU will host English teachers from around the world. Teachers from 25 countries will spend two weeks in Corvallis studying U.S. culture and sharing their experiences. You can participate two ways: Become a dinner host on July 10, 5:15 p.m., or become a conversation partner, July 7 and July 12 (both days required), 7 to 9 p.m. To participate, send an e-mail to Carolyn Bonoff at Carolyn.Bonoff@oregonstate.edu

Traffic and maintenance

Arnold Street: Due to construction related to the Student Success Center Project, the northern half of Arnold Street will be closed to thru traffic. The ADA parking for the Alumni Center will remain open. This shutdown will begin at 7 a.m. June 30 and should end by 5 p.m. July 14.

Bloss Hall: Due to construction related to the INTO Construction Project, the sidewalk between 16th Street and the entrance to Bloss Hall, as well as the entrance to Bloss Hall will be temporarily shutdown. This shutdown will begin at 7 a.m. June 27 and should end by Aug. 1

Weniger parking lot: Due to fencing and construction staging, the Monroe/Weniger Lot will be temporarily shutdown and is to be free of all vehicles. The loading docks for both Gilbert Hall and Weniger Hall will remain open and accessible during this time. The lot should reopen at 5 p.m. on Sept. 23.

The Environmental Sciences Graduate Program (ESGP) is now recruiting for a 9-month, 0.25 FTE fixed term Associate Director to assist the Director in carrying out all aspects of graduate education in ESGP. Posting #0007500. Closes: June 30.

The University Library is recruiting for a full time, 12-month tenure-track position of Assistant Professor. Posting #0007278. For full consideration apply by June 3. Closes June 30.

The Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society seeks a post doctoral research associate for the AmeriFlux Network. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) position. Posting # 0007427. Closes June 30.

Instructor/Internship Coordinator — Human Development & Family Sciences in the College of Health & Human Sciences invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, Instructor/Internship Coordinator position. Posting #0007203. For full consideration application should be received by June 1; closes June 30.

The Graduate School is seeking applicants for a tenured faculty, 12-month, 0.49 FTE fixed term Director of Postdoctoral Programs and Liaison with the Research Office position. This is an internal search. Posting # 0007501. Closes: July 8.

Facilities Services Department, is seeking experienced Cogeneration Engineers to fill three positions in OSU’s new Energy Center. This is a full-time, 12-month position. Posting #0007509. Closes July 13.

The Oregon State University Foundation has an opening for a Director of Development for Athletics. This position is located in the Portland Center office. For a complete job description and more information go to http://osufoundation.org/employment/

The Oregon State University Foundation is seeking an Associate Director of Annual Giving Programs / Director of the President’s Circle to join the Annual Giving Programs team. For more information go to http://osufoundation.org/employment/

The Oregon State University Foundation is seeking a Director of Gift Accounting to join the Finance Department and will be responsible for managing the areas of gift processing and receipting. For more information go to http://osufoundation.org/employment/

Weather

Corvallis: The rain is simply not done with us yet. Showers are likely today with rain overnight, and there’s a slight chance of showers until the sunnier weekend approaches. Highs will hover in the low 70s to remind us that yes, it is summer, but we won’t see really clear summery skies until Saturday.

Central Oregon: Muggy is not often a word associated with the high desert but with a high of 81 and showers expected today, it may be apt. Showers are expected until Thursday, when the skies clear and temperatures, which will hover in the mid 70s all week, jump back toward 80 again.